Is tax preparers a good career?
It scores 17/100 and ranks #415 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($54,920 vs $61,390)
What tax preparers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. tax preparers earn between $38,910 and $76,300 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live tax preparers jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Related occupations
How much do tax preparers make?
The national median wage is $54,920 a year, with the middle half earning between $38,910 and $76,300 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is tax preparers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 17 of 100 and ranks #415 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +4.5% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a tax preparer?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do tax preparers earn the most?
Among states, New York pays the highest median ($71,850). Local pay for every state and metro is below.